The Catastrophe

Rakeshwar Bora, a simple Assamese farmer, faces ruin when a greedy landlord deceitfully claims his ancestral land by demanding a mortgage receipt that was never provided. To afford the steep bribes required by a corrupt legal system, Bora is forced to sell his livestock and send his young son to work as a servant for the same landlord. His ultimate humiliation occurs when financial desperation forces him to hang political banners praising the very man who destroyed his livelihood.

Directed by Jahnu Barua, The Catastrophe leans on a strong ensemble — Indra Bania, Badal Das, Purnima Pathak — to carry a story that balances spectacle with character.

The film landed with audiences for its craft and performances, and remains one of the most talked-about drama titles of 1987.